Principal Policy Adviser

3 days ago

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Department Of Education Full time

**About the Role**

The Principal Policy Adviser leads the development of advocacy positions and policy on a range of critical, high-profile issues across the early childhood portfolios, such as:

- National child safety and quality reform including development of national positions and alignment with Victorian child safety initiatives.
- Advocacy to the Commonwealth on and negotiating of funding agreements including the next Preschool Reform Agreement and the Building Early Education Fund.
- Advocacy to the Commonwealth on significant national Early Childhood Education and Care system reform including in response to the Victorian Rapid Child Safety Review.
- Advocacy to align Commonwealth early childhood reform with Victoria's Best Start, Best Life reforms.
- National policy matters relating to the early childhood portfolio including workforce, automatic mutual recognition, First Nations policy and AERO

This role involves developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders across the department, within Victorian Government and across other jurisdictions.

**Attributes**

To be successful in this position, you will have excellent written communication skills, sophisticated policy and analysis skills, the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to inform Victorian positions and flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.

**Desirable**Qualifications and Experience**

Experience in strategic and intergovernmental policy at any level of government is desirable.

**To apply**

Please provide your CV and a response addressing the key selection criteria (no more than 2 pages).

**Further Information**

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

**About the Department**

The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.

The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

**About the Division**

The Intergovernmental Relations Branch including the National Schools Policy team, the National Early Childhood Policy team and the National School Reform Agreement team.

The Branch is a fast paced, collaborative and high performing environment that influences national policy discussions and negotiations. The Branch:

- Provides strategic advice to ministers and senior officials in national negotiations.
- Ensures national, whole of Victorian Government and interagency issues are considered as part of the department's policy development and program delivery.
- Works across the department on the development, implementation and reporting of intergovernmental agreements across the portfolio.
- Manages key partnership arrangements and supports senior executive participation in governance bodies on behalf of the department.

**Applications close** 11:59pm on Wednesday 24 September 2025.

  • Principal Legal Policy Adviser

    3 days ago

    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Department Of Premier & Cabinet Full time

    An exciting opportunity exists for a talented and highly motivated individual to join the Private Sector Industrial Relations team within Industrial Relations Victoria as Principal Legal Policy Adviser at the Department of Premier and Cabinet.The Department of Premier and Cabinet is seeking a law and policy expert to help implement the Victorian Government's...

  • Principal Adviser

    2 weeks ago

    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ClearCompany Full time

    Principal AdviserSalary: $138,631 - $185,518 (Plus Superannuation)Ongoing roleUsual hours of work: Full time (flexibility may be available)Usual work location: 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne (flexibility may be available)The RoleThe Principal Adviser provides expert strategic advice and exceptional project management to enable high performance of the...

  • Principal Adviser

    2 weeks ago

    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ClearCompany Full time

    Principal AdviserSalary: $138,631 - $185,518 (Plus Superannuation)Ongoing roleUsual hours of work: Full time (flexibility may be available)Usual work location: 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne (flexibility may be available)The RoleThe Principal Adviser provides expert strategic advice and exceptional project management to enable high performance of the...

  • Principal Legal Policy Adviser

    4 days ago

    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Department Of Justice And Community Safety Full time

    About the Business UnitThrough its Regulation and Dispute Services Group, the Department of Government Services ('the department') leads regulatory functions across the Consumer Affairs portfolio.The Regulation and Dispute Services portfolio interacts with a number of other government portfolios and impacts on everyday Victorians, a range of industries and a...

  • Principal Adviser

    7 days ago

    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Victorian Government Full time $138,631 - $185,518 per year

    OverviewWork Type: Ongoing - Full-timeSalary: $138,631 - $185,518Grade: VPS 6Occupation: AdministrationLocation: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbsReference: VG/100674Established on 1 January 2023, our work spans numerous portfolios, supporting departmental ministers and operating across metropolitan, regional and international offices. We oversee...

  • Principal Policy Adviser

    6 days ago

    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Victorian Government Full time $138,631 - $185,518 per year

    OverviewWork Type: Fixed-term - Full-timeSalary: $138,631 - $185,518Grade: VPS 6Occupation: PolicyLocation: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbsReference: VG/1882119The Department of Health plays a critical role in the Victorian health system and is responsible for shaping it to meet the health needs of all Victorians. We're focused onsupporting...

  • Principal Policy Adviser

    6 days ago

    Melbourne City Centre, Victoria, Australia Victorian Government - Department of Health Full time $104,000 - $130,878 per year

    About the role:The Principal Policy Adviser supports the delivery of the Workforce Strategy and Planning Branch's interjurisdictional responsibilities. The role will support delivery of a time limited project as part of the implementation of the Kruk Review. The project will identify international best practice in multidisciplinary workforce planning and...

  • Principal Adviser

    7 days ago

    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Victorian Government Full time $138,631 - $185,518 per year

    OverviewWork Type: CasualSalary: $138,631 - $185,518Grade: VPS 6Occupation: ProjectsLocation: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbsReference: VG/101475Established on 1 January 2023, our work spans numerous portfolios, supporting departmental ministers and operating across metropolitan, regional and international offices. We oversee various public entities,...

  • Principal Investigations Adviser

    4 days ago

    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Department Of Education Full time

    **Fixed Term Job Opportunity - VPS6 Principal Investigations Adviser**An exciting opportunity exists to join the Conduct and Integrity Division as a VPS6 Principal Investigations Adviser in the Preliminary Investigations Team for a Fixed Term period commencing **8** **September 2025** until **15** **July** **2026.****About the Department**The Department of...

  • Principal Policy Adviser

    5 days ago

    Melbourne City Centre, Victoria, Australia Department of Education Full time $70,000 - $120,000 per year

    About the RoleThe Principal Policy Adviser leads the development of advocacy positions and policy on a range of critical, high-profile issues across the early childhood portfolios, such as:National child safety and quality reform including development of national positions and alignment with Victorian child safety initiatives.Advocacy to the Commonwealth on...